Abstract
Purpose. The primary focus of this research was to evaluate the economic performance, educational improvements, and Vietnamese standard of living after fifteen years of implementing the "Doi Moi" program from 1987 to 2001. Theoretical framework. The theoretical framework for this research was the implementation of the Doi Moi program that was founded during the transition of the central commanded economy of the Vietnamese communist regime, a closed-system approach, to the free-market economy, an open-system approach. Methodology and research design. The research employs a one-shot case study design to evaluate the Doi Moi program. In this design, the statistics of Vietnam's economic, education, and social indicators between 1987 and 2001 are used as dependent variables to test the hypothesis, as well as answer the research questions. In addition, the study employs an unobtrusive field observation and interview of Vietnamese people in Vietnam to determine the level of satisfaction of the Vietnamese with the changes that impacted their lives fifteen years after the implementation of the national renovation program. Findings. The goal of this study was to find if there were improvements to Vietnam's economy, educational system, and standard of living during the period of 1987 to 2001. The results of the study revealed that the implementation of the Doi Moi program resulted in improving Vietnam's economy by constant growth of national GDP, foreign direct investment, trade business, and resulted in control of the country's inflation rate. The study also demonstrated that the economic growth contributed to improvement of the educational system and had a positive impact on the Vietnamese standard of living. Conclusions and recommendations. It is impossible to state unequivocally that the results of this research can be generalized to the current state of Vietnam; however, the strength of the findings led the author to believe that during the period of 1987 to 2001, the implementation of the renovation program, Vietnam's socioeconomic situation experienced comprehensive and significant changes. The author provides recommendations within the text for Vietnamese practitioners to act upon quickly.